ATLANTA — Georgia Democrats criticized Republican gubernatorial candidates Burt Jones and Rick Jackson after the state’s temporary suspension of motor fuel tax collections ended, arguing the GOP contenders have failed to offer a clear plan for addressing gas prices.
State Democrats pointed to reporting from Courier Georgia that Jones again declined to respond when asked about his position on ending the gas tax suspension. They also cited an interview with Savannah television station WJCL in which Jackson described bringing back the gas tax as “the right and prudent thing to do.”
But Democrats did not answer Sightseers’ Delight’s question about whether suspending the gas tax could be short-sighted. The question centered on whether the policy amounts to “robbing Peter to pay Paul” — providing immediate relief to drivers while reducing money available for transportation projects later.
The debate comes as new state revenue numbers show Georgia’s net tax collections in May totaled $2.35 billion, down $339.1 million, or 12.6%, from May 2025, when collections totaled $2.69 billion. Year-to-date collections through May 31 totaled $30.8 billion, up $344.6 million, or 1.1%, from the same period last year.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp had suspended gas tax collections by executive order, but the suspension expired on June 2.
Gas prices have also continued to rise. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average price for regular motor gasoline in May 2026 was $4.48 per gallon, up 9.2% from April and 42.2% from May 2025.
The issue is also hitting travel plans. A new WalletHub survey found that 59% of Americans say high gas prices are affecting their travel decisions.
The motor fuel tax has long presented a political balancing act for Georgia leaders. Suspending collections can give drivers quick relief at the pump, especially during periods of sharp price increases. But the tax also helps fund transportation needs, making any suspension a trade-off between short-term consumer savings and longer-term infrastructure funding.
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